Air Cleaning Device II

ABSTRACT

The device according to the invention comprises a drip chamber, which is adapted for connecting to the ordinary water mains, a metal plate and a nozzle that is connected to the drip chamber and disposed above the metal plate and a collecting vessel. The object of the drip chamber is to convert the continuous flow of water from the water mains into discrete drops, thus forming a water reservoir in the button of the drip chamber, which is electrically insulated from the water supply while the reservoir still receives a constant new supply of water. Water from the reservoir is passed on to the nozzle and sprayed over the steel plate. An impressed voltage on the nozzle and thereby the water attracts the impurities in the air and these will bind to the water and follow it when the water runs down into a collecting vessel, which is subsequently emptied into the house&#39;s drainage system.

The invention relates to a device for purification of air, especially for purification of indoor air.

Many indoor environments have serious problems with air quality. Odour and dust and too much or too little humidity result in discomfort and may lead to health problems.

There are several methods of purifying the indoor air, the most common being mechanical filtration of circulating air and ionization of molecules, which are attracted into a voltage field.

EP 424 335 relates to a procedure and a device for the purification of air, flue gases and the like, where the purification is performed in a shaft, duct or a pipe containing electrodes. There is a potential difference between the electrodes and the wall(s) in the shaft/duct/pipe. The electrodes ionize impurity particles in the air/flue gases and these are then attracted to the walls to which they become attached. The walls are cleaned of impurities by flushing them with water at regular intervals.

The disadvantage of devices of this type is that they employ extremely high voltage in order to ionize particles or molecules, thereby involving a high voltage source in the device, which may constitute a potential risk in case of contact.

Another disadvantage of existing air purification devices is that the impurities accumulate in the devices and have to be removed manually when the amount of accumulated impurities has become too great.

The object of the invention is to provide a device for purification of indoor air, which is effective for several types of impurities, which does not involve any risk and where the impurities are finally removed from the environment that has to be purified.

The object of the invention is achieved by means of the features in the patent claims.

The device according to the invention comprises a drip chamber, which is adapted for connection to the ordinary water mains, a metal plate, a nozzle that is connected to the drip chamber and disposed above the metal plate and a collecting vessel. The object of the drip chamber is to convert the continuous flow of water from the mains to discrete drops, thus forming a water reservoir in the bottom of the drip chamber, which is electrically insulated from the water supply while the reservoir still receives a constant new supply of water. The water from the reservoir is passed on to the nozzle and sprayed over the steel plate. An impressed voltage on the nozzle, and thereby the water, attracts the impurities in the air and these will then bind to the water and follow the water when it runs down into a collecting vessel, which is subsequently emptied into the house's drainage system.

In a preferred embodiment the device may also be equipped with a device, which comprises a metallic cylinder and a fan. The fan is disposed at one end of the cylinder, while the other end of the cylinder is closed. The fan blows air into the cylinder, thus producing an overpressure in the cylinder. Use is preferably made of a centrifugal fan, which requires a certain amount of air circulation in order to function. In this case the cylinder will therefore be equipped with a hole at the opposite end. Impurities will become attached to the outside of the cylinder.

In a further embodiment the device may also comprise current conducting coils, which are wound round it. The coils are wound in such a manner that the electric fields generated round these coils when current passes through them form a common electric field. The device's other units are placed in the centre of this field.

The invention will now be described in greater detail by means of an example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates the drip chamber.

FIG. 2 illustrates the metal plate and nozzle.

FIG. 3 illustrates the electrical connections for a metal plate in the device according to the invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates a metallic cylinder with a fan that creates overpressure in the cylinder.

FIG. 5 illustrates a preferred orientation of current conducting coils.

The device comprises a supply pipe 21 for connecting to the water mains. Water from the ordinary mains will thereby flow into the drip chamber 20. The device further comprises a spreader 22, which is connected in the drip chamber 20 and which converts the continuous flow of water into discrete drops 26, which drip down into the bottom of the drip chamber 20. The spreader 22 works by the water running down an umbrella-like unit where the outer edge of the “umbrella” has a row of points 27. The flow of water is small enough to permit the water to be passed towards the points 27 and drip off them. The bottom of the drip chamber is designed in such a manner that the water is collected and forms a water reservoir 23. The water in the water reservoir 23 is therefore electrically insulated from the water in the supply pipe 21. The drip chamber is airtight, thus causing a small overpressure to build up there when the water flows in through the supply pipe 21 and the spreader 22. The drip chamber 20 also comprises an overpressure valve 25. The water from the water reservoir then continues through the drainpipe 24 into a nozzle 30 in FIG. 2. The nozzle 30 delivers a spray of water on to a metal plate 31, with the result that the area round the nozzle and the adjacent area of the metal plate are surrounded by a mist-like cloud of water. The metal in the plate 31 is preferably stainless steel or another non-corrosive metal. The nozzle 30 and/or the metal plate 33 are provided with electrical connections 33 for impressing a voltage. The water, which is thereby also under voltage, will attract electrically charged molecules/particles and hold on to them. The metal plate 31 is tilted, with the result that the water runs over the plate and down into a collecting vessel, which is not illustrated. The collecting vessel has an emptying function with a level switch, thus causing the water to be emptied out when a certain amount of water has collected.

FIG. 3 illustrates how the metal plate 31 or nozzle 30 is electrically insulated from the environment, but electrically connected to a rectifying bridge 12. The rectifying bridge 12 is electrically connected to a transformer 13 for stepping-down an alternating voltage of 220V from the ordinary power grid to an alternating voltage of 45V. The rectifying bridge is earthed via a switch 14 (to the chassis). With this configuration the potential difference between the metal plate 31 and earth 11 can be altered by connecting and disconnecting the switch.

In an alternative embodiment in FIG. 4, the device also comprises a metallic cylinder 40, which has a fan 41, preferably a centrifugal fan, at one end and a restriction 42, which restricts the airflow, at the other end. Other types of fan may also be used, e.g. a type that does not require air circulation, in which case the opposite end of the pipe may be completely closed. The cylinder will attract molecules, thereby increasing the efficiency of the device according to the invention.

In yet another embodiment the device according to the invention may comprise coils 51 and 52 in FIG. 5, wound by electrical conductors and connected in series to the heating element 20 in FIG. 2. The electric fields generated round the coils create a total electric field. The coils are preferably wound round the apparatus in such a manner that the location of the centre in this total electric field coincides with the location of the other units of the apparatus.

In another alternative embodiment the device may comprise an air humidifier of a known per se type for increasing the humidity of the air surrounding the apparatus. 

1. A space charge system for reducing airborne contaminants comprising (a) at least one negative air ion generator wherein said generator includes at least one ionizing electrode, (b) a ground plane perpendicular and proximate to said at least one electrode wherein said at least one electrode is facing away from said ground plane, and at a distance apart to create an electrostatic field which reduces airborne particulates without creating an arc, and (c) a source of power to effect said ionization from said electrode; wherein said system generates electrostatic charge throughout an enclosed space outside of said system.
 2. The system of claim 1 further comprising about 3 to 12 ionizer bars containing a plurality of electrodes.
 3. The system of claim 1 wherein said system further comprises at least one dust collection device.
 4. The system of claim 3 wherein said dust collection device is at least one tray containing an aqueous composition wherein said at least one tray is located above said generator and ground plane.
 5. The system of claim 4 wherein said dust collection device further comprises a second tray located at the bottom of the enclosed space below said generator and ground plane.
 6. The system of claim 3 wherein said dust collection device comprises at least one grounded metal plate attached to at least one wall of said enclosed space.
 7. The system of claim 6 further comprising spray nozzles mounted as selected from the group consisting of beside the plate, above the plate, and both beside and above the plate.
 8. The system of claim 1 wherein said at least one electrode is an ionizing needle electrode.
 9. The system of claim 3 wherein said dust collection device is at least one tray containing an aqueous composition.
 10. The system of claim 9 wherein said aqueous composition includes a degreaser.
 11. The system of claim 3 wherein said dust collection device includes a metal plate and a means for applying water to said plate.
 12. The system of claim 11 wherein said means for applying water to said plate is spray nozzles.
 13. The system of claim 11 wherein said means for applying water to said plate is a pipe containing holes for emitting water.
 14. The system of claim 3 wherein said dust collection device is said ground plane and surfaces of a room-sized enclosed space.
 15. The system of claim 1 wherein said generator further includes a supporting frame.
 16. A space charge system for reducing airborne contaminants comprising (a) at least one negative air ion generator wherein said generator includes at least one ionizing electrode, (b) a ground plane perpendicular and proximate to said at least one electrode wherein said at least one electrode is facing away from said ground plane, and at a distance apart to create an electrostatic field which reduces airborne particulates without creating an arc, and (c) a dust collection device wherein said device is selected from the group consisting of said ground plane and surfaces of a room-sized enclosed space, a tray containing an aqueous composition, and a metal sheet with spray nozzles.
 17. A method for reducing airborne particulates comprising (a) installing a space charge system in an enclosed space wherein said system comprises at least one negative air ion generator wherein said generator includes at least one ionizing electrode and a ground plane perpendicular and proximate to said at least one electrode wherein said at least one electrode is facing away form said ground plane, and at a distance apart to create an electrostatic field which reduced airborne particulates without creating an arc, (b) applying a high negative voltage to the generator to generate an electrostatic field, (c) dispersing negative electrostatic charge throughout said space, and (d) collecting airborne particulates in or on a dust collection device.
 18. The method of claim 17 wherein the voltage is in the range of about −15,000 volts DC to about −30,000 volts DC.
 19. The method of claim 17 wherein said dust collection device is selected from the group consisting of said ground plane and surfaces of a room-sized enclosed space, a tray containing an aqueous composition, and a metal plate with spray nozzles.
 20. The method of claim 17 wherein said generator is made up of about 3-12 ionizer bars each containing a plurality of ionizing needle electrodes.
 21. The method of claim 17 wherein said dust collection device is at least one tray containing an aqueous composition wherein said at least one tray is located above said generator and ground plane.
 22. The method of claim 21 wherein said dust collection device further comprises a second tray located at the bottom of the enclosed space below said generator and ground plane.
 23. The method of claim 17 wherein said dust collection device comprises at least on grounded metal plate attached to at lease one wall of said enclosed space.
 24. The method of claim 23 further comprising spray nozzles mounted as selected from the group consisting of beside the plate, above the plate, and both beside the above the plate.
 25. A space charge system for reducing airborne contaminants comprising, (a) at least one negative air ion generator wherein said generator includes at least one ionizing electrode, (b) a ground plane perpendicular and proximate to said at least one electrode wherein said at least one electrode is facing away from said ground plane, and at a distance apart to create an electrostatic field which reduces airborne particulates in an enclosed space outside of said system without creating an arc, and (c) a dust collection device wherein said device comprises a first tray containing an aqueous composition located above said generator and ground plane and a second tray containing an aqueous composition located at the bottom of the enclosed space below said generator and ground plane, and (d) a source of power to effect said ionization from said electrode.
 26. A space charge system for reducing airborne contaminants comprising, (a) at least one negative air ion generator wherein said generator includes at least one ionizing electrode, (b) a ground plane perpendicular and proximate to said at least one electrode wherein said at least one electrode is facing away form said ground plane, and at a distance apart to create an electrostatic field which reduces airborne particulates in an enclosed space outside of said system without creating an arc, and (c) a dust collection device wherein said device comprises at least one grounded metal plate attached to at least one wall of said enclosed space and spray nozzles mounted as selected from the group consisting of beside the plate, above the plate, and both beside and above the plate, and (d) a source of power to effect said ionization from said electrode. 